Signal lamp



June 15, 1965 D. J. DOVER 3,189,738

SIGNAL LAMP Filed oct. 19, 1962 :R Il g" I Imm. I ,".FB

INVENTOR DA :oflDovsR United States Patent O 3,189,738 SIGNAL LAMP David J. Dover, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Doray Lamp Co., Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 232,670 11 Claims. (Cl. 2Mb-11.2)

This invention relates to improvements in lamps, such as are used in connection with vehicular traic, particularly warning lamps for use to indicate construction or other road @barriere or obstacles.

Lamps of thetype here involved generally include a frame or housing within which there is an electric light source, Iand one or mose lenses through which light from the source passes, lthe lens directing the light in accordance with a desired pattern. rPhe lamps, when used to warn of construction barricades, are subjected to frequent handling, which is often rough handling, which results in high lens breakage. Moreover, the construction barricades with which the lamps are used are generally outside which results in the lamp being exposed to `rain and other corrosiveproducing elements in the atmosphere. It is an object of the present invention to prov-ide Va lamp of the type stated in which the construction lof the lamp frame is such as to make the lanip able to withstand a substantial amount of rough or careless handling without lens breakage, as for instance, when the lamps =are carelessly placed in a storage compartment of a vehicle. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame is fabricated of a resilient rubber-like material that is shock absorbent. The frame also has resilient outwardly extending leg-like projeotions that extend beyond the axially outer surfaces of the lenses. When the lamp is placed (on a supporting surface, `as for instance the storage compartment of :a vehicle, the projections support the lamp frame in a generally horizontal and stable position such that the lenses are out of contact with the supporting surface. The friction of the resilient legs aids in keeping the lamp from sliding or otherwise moving about the storage compatrtment as the vehicle is in motion. The legs, furthermore, assist in preventing other objects from being placed on the lenses and lthus possibly breaking them,

-and also assist in preventing lense breakage should the lamp be accidentally tipped over.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a lamp of the type stated in which the lenses are secured to lthe frame in an manner such as to render the interior of the lamp reasonably water-tight, and thereby reduce the possibility of corrosion of metallic parts within the lamp.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lamp of the type stated in which the lenses may be quickly and easily removed from and secured to the trame should it be necessary to replace the bulb within the lamp or otherwise service the lamp.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification Itaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

Inthe drawing:

FIG. l is a iront elevational view of a signal lamp `constructed in accordance with and employing .the present invention; f

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partly fbroken away and in :section and on an enlarged scale, of the structure of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 5-5 and 6 6 respectively, of FIG. 3.

3,189,73 Patented .lune 15, 1965 lCC Referring now in more detail and by reference chararacters to the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a lamp comprising :a ring-like frame 1 that is formed of a mold* ed resilient, rubber-like material, as, for example, a polychloroprene rubber. The trarne 1 has axially opposite ends that are formed with annular openings 3, 5, centered about an axis 4, for receiving the peripheral franges 7, 9 of opposed identical lenses 11, 13.

Each lens 11, 13 includes an outwardly curved or bulging portion 10 which is joined to the corresponding peripheral flange 7 or 9, as the case may be, by a portion 12 that is of the gener-al shape of a part of a cone whose axis of rotation coincides with the longitudinal axis 4. The outwardly curved portions 10 extend axially a substantial distance from the frame 1. The lenses may have concentric ring serrations 15, for instance Fresnal lenses, for directing the light passing therethrough in a desired direction, 'and each lens may also have a centrally located light concentrating bulls eye 16 for directing a concentrating beam of light from the internal light source to be hereinafter described, in a direction axially7 that is parallel with the axis. 4. The inner surface 14 of each flange 7, 9 is formed of a continuous series of small projections each of which is shaped to approximate closely or corner of a cube and thus constitute the projections a reflector which reflects incident light from the headlight of an approaching automobile back toward the headlight but with la slight spread. Such rellecto-r is known as an auto-collimating reilector. Functional similar projections are formed `at 18 on the inner surface of the portion 12. Each lens 11, 13 may be made of suitable transparent plastic material. Each iiange 7, 9 has at its inner surface, a narrow annular axially extending seating neck 17.

The maximum diameter of the flanges 7, 9 is slightly greater tlian the diameter of the openings 3, 5 so that when the lenses 11, 13 are fitted Within the openings 3, 5, the rubber at the openings 3, 5 will yield slightly `and friotionally grip the peripheral flanges 7, 9. Adjacent to the openings 3, 5, the frame 1 is formed with axially spaced radial shoulders 19, 21 each constituting .-a se'art for the neck 17 of one of the corresponding lenses.

At the shoulders 19, 21 the frame 1 has a plurality of uniformly spaced bosses 23, and the lens flanges 7, 9 have countersunk holes 25, 27 respectively which project through axial lens bosses 26, 28 and fare adapted for alignment with holesV 29 in the bosses 23. Projecting through the hole 27 in the liange 9 and into the holes 29 in the bosses 23 are headed, internally threaded inserts 31, Similarly, screws 33 project through holes 35 in the liange 7 and are threaded into the inserts 31. Tiglitening of the screws 33 will draw the necks 17 of the 'anges 7, 9 firmly against the resilient should-er 19, 21 and will likewise draw the lens bosses Z6, 2S firmly against 4the opposite faces of the frame bosses 23. The iit of the lenses 7, 9 in the openings 3, 5, and the securement thereof by the inserts 31 and screws 33 results in the lenses 7, 9 being drawn tightly against the bosses 23 and seats 19, 21 land provides ,an interior lamp chamber 35 that is substantially water-tight across the openings 3, 5.

Integrally formed substantially at the periphery of the frame 1 is a plurality of sets of uniformly spaced apart resilient leg-like projections 37, 39, the projections in each set extending in opposite directions, and in this instance each set comprises six projections. These circumferentially disposed projections 37, 39 are radially outwardly of the lenses 7, 9 and extend axially outwardly beyond the axial outer ends 41, 43 of the lenses 7, 9, and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Between the shoulders 19, 21, the frame has a flat cord-wise extending surface that receives a metallic strip adsense E 45. Another surface parallel to the surface 45 is formed on the exterior of the frame 1 and has a metallic strip 47. A U-shaped metal bracket 49 is mounted on the strip 45 and projects radially inwardly of the frame from the strip 45. Bolt and nut assemblies 51 secure the strips f 4S, 47 and the bracket 49 in place.

projects radially through the frame l and the strips 45,

47 and cooperates with a nut 59 for securing the lamp to a housing el of a suitable power supply for illuminating the bulb 55. This power supply may be any conventional type, as for instance, one that provides continuous operation of the bulb 55 or one that causes the bulb 55 to flash on and oif. An insulated wire 63 leads from the bulb socket 53 through a rubber-like sealing grommet 64 in the axial bore in the bolt 57 for suitable connection to the power supply. The ground connection from the bulb 55 to the power-supply is at the strip 47 which is in current-carrying connection with the bulb socket 53. v

The lamp and its power supply may be placed on or near a construction barrier, as desired. Should the lamp be knocked over accidentally, the resilient projections 37, 39 will absorb the shock and frequently prevent lens breakage. While the projections 37, 39 are resilient and shock-absorbent, they are, nevertheless, sufficiently rigid to support the lamp A, with or without the power supply, on a surface in a horizontal position, that is, with the central axis of the lamp more or less vertical and with either lens closely spaced from but presented toward the surface. Thus, the lamp may be stored in a generally horizontal position on either set of leg-like projections 37, 39 without the lenses resting on the supporting surface. If, upon removal from a barricade, the lamp is carelessly dropped onto the ground or onto the floor of a truck that is to carry it to its next place of use, the projections 37-3$ will in most instances protect the lenses against breakage. Likewise when lamps are being transported by truck from one place of use to another,

the projections 37-39 will in most instances protect the lenses againts breakage that might otherwise be caused by large objects falling thereon. The fact that the lamp body is of rubber eliminates the likelihood of permanently bending or cracking of the body when it is subjected to a blow. A blow may break the lens but the rubber body will not be cracked or permanently bent out of shape, as is likely with a plastic body or a metal body.' This is of particular importance in the case of a lamp that may be subject to severe mechanical shocks in its ordinary use.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. lt is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What ris considered new and sought to be secured by Letters Patent l. A signal lamp comprising a frame, a lens mounted on said frame, and means for supporting an electric light source within the frame in a manner to transmit light therefrom through said lens, said framefbeing a resilient member that integrally includes resilient peripheral projections that extend axially outwardly beyond the lens for supporting the lamp on a surface with the lens presented toward but spaced from said surface, the projections being circumferentially spaced about the lens and being relatively narrow as compared to the circumference of the lens.

2. A signal lamp comprising a ring-like frame, a pair of opposed axially spaced lenses mounted on the frame, and

4 means for supporting an electric light source between the lenses in a manner to transmit light therefrom through the lenses, said Vframe being a resilient member and integrally including groups of resilient legs which are relatively narrow as compared to the circumference of the lens, the legs of each group being spaced about one lens and projecting axially outwardly beyond the lens and being of sufficient rigidity so that the outer ends of each group of legs is capable of supporting the frame on a surface withthe associated, lens presented toward but spaced from said surface.

e 3. A signal' lamp comprising a ring-like-frame, a pair of opposed axially spaced lenses surrounded by the frame, means for securing the lenses to the frame, and means secured to the frame for supporting an electric light source between the lenses in a manner to transmit light therefrom through the lenses, said frame integrally including circumferentially disposed .lamp-supporting peripheral projections that extend axially outwardly in opposite directions beyond the axially outer ends of the lenses.

4. A signal lamp according to claim 3 wherein the projections are circumferentially spaced legs.

5. A signal lamp comprising a resilient ring-like frame open at its opposite axial ends, saidframe having axially spaced lens-receiving seats adjacent to said ends, Ya lens supported ou each seat andforming closures Vfor said opposite ends whereby the lenses andy frame cooperate to provide a chamber, each said lens projecting axially outwardly beyond the associated open end of the frame, means for securing the lenses to the seats in sealing relationship thereto such that the lenses cooperate with the seats to form asubstantially water-tight barrier across the open ends of the frame, and means for supporting an electric light source in the chamber-for transmission of light from the source through the lenses, said frame integrally including resilient projections that extend axiallyV outwardly in opposite directions vbeyond the axially outer ends of the lenses, the projections being of sufficient rigidity to support the lamp-frame on a surface with either-lens selectively being presented towardrbut spaced from said surface.

6. A signal lamp comprising a resilient ring-likeframe open at its opposite axial ends, said frame having axially spaced lens-receiving seatsY adjacent rto said ends, a lens supported on-each seat and forming rclosures for said opposite ends whereby the lens and frame cooperate to provide a chamber, each said lens projecting axially outwardly beyond the associated open end ofthe frame, means for securing the lenses to the seats in sealing relationship thereto such that the lenses cooperate with theseats to form a substantially water-tight barrier across the open ends of the frame, and means for supporting an'electric light source in the chamber for transmission of light from the source through the lenses, said frame integrally including resilient peripheral projections that extend axially outwardly in opposite directions beyond the axially outer end of the lenses, the projections being circumferentially spaced elements that are relatively narrow as compared to the circumference of the lenses and which surround the lenses and are. of suicient rigidity to support the lamp frame on a surface with either lens selectively being presented toward but spaced from said surface.y

7. A signal lamp comprising ,a resilient ring-like frame open at its opposite axial ends, said' frame havingy axially spaced lens-receiving seats adjacent to said ends, a lens removably supported adjacent to its Vperiphery on each seat and forming closures for said opposite ends whereby the lenses and frame,k cooperate to provide a chamber, each said lens projecting axially outwardly beyond the associated open end fof the frame, means `for securing the lenses to the seats in sealing relationship thereto such that the lenses form substantially water-tight barriers across the open ends of the frame, said means comprising threaded inserts projecting through one llens and into the frame, and companion' threaded elements projecting through the other lens andthe frame and threadedly engaging the threaded inserts, and means for supporting an electric light source in the chamber for transmission of light from the source through the lenses, said trarne integrally including resilient peripheral projections that extend axially outwardly in opposite directions beyond the axially outer end of the lenses, the projections being of suflicient rigidity to support the lamp frame on a surface with either lensv selectively being presented toward but spaced from said surface. l

8. A signal unitcomprising a unitary ring frame open at its opposite axial ends and having axially spaced lensreceiving seats adjacent to said ends, a lens removably supported adjacent to its periphery on each seatzand forming closures for said opposite ends, and means for securing the lenses to the seats, said means comprising threaded inserts projecting through one lens and into bosses on the frame, and companion threaded elements projecting through the other lens and into the bosses and threadedly engaging the threaded inserts.

9. A signal unit comprising a unitary rubber-like ring frame open at its opposite ends and having axially spaced lens-receiving seats adjacent to said ends, a lens removably supported adjacent to its periphery on each seat and forming closures for said opposite ends, means for securing the lenses to the seats, said means comprising threaded inserts projecting through one lens and into bosses on the frame, and companion threaded elements projecting through the other lens and into the bosses and threadedly engaging the threaded inserts, and resilient supporting means on the frame and surrounding the lenses and projecting axially outwardly beyond the axially outer ends of each lens.

10. A signal unit comprising a frame having an opening, a lens-receiving seat adjacent to said opening, a lens secured to the frame at the lens-receiving seat and closing the opening, said lens projecting axially outwardly beyond the frame, and a plurality of spaced resilient leg-like projections on the frame and disposed about the lens and projecting axially outwardly beyond the axial outer end of the lens, said projections being suiciently rigid to support the unit on a surface with the lens presented to but spaced from said surface.

11. A frame for" signal unit, said frame comprising a rubber-like ring open at its opposite axial ends, said ring having axially spaced lens-receiving seats that include bosses `for receiving lens-securing means, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced rubber-like elements integral with said ring and being radially outwardly of the lensreceiving seats and projecting axially outwardly of said open ends of the ring, said elements being of suicient rigidity to support the'ring above an adjacent supporting surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,739,224 3/ 56 Knapp 240--1 1.2 X 2,748,431 5/ 56 Eriksson 20-56.5 X 2,981,827 4/61 Orsatti et al. 240-2 X 2,981,828 4/61 Worden 240-8.l8 3,015,804V l/62 Nunn 240-2 X 3,065,342 l 1/ 62 Worden 240-90 3,100,085 8/63 Dover 240-90 X NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CORRECTION Patent No. 3,189,738 June 15, 1965 David J. Dover It is herebyY` certified that err ent requiring correction and that corrected belo` or appears in the above numbered patthe said Letters Patent should read as Column 4, line 46, for "lens" read lenses Signed and sealed this 16th day of November 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attcsting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A SIGNAL LAMP COMPRISING A FRAME, A LENS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AN ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCE WITHIN THE FRAME IN A MANNER TO TRANSMIT LIGHT THEREFROM THROUGH SAID LENS, SAID FRAME BEING A RESILIENT MEMBER THAT INTEGRALLY INCLUDES RESILIENT PERIPHERAL PROJECTIONS THAT EXTEND AXIALLY OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE LENS FOR SUPPORTING THE LAMP ON A SURFACE WITH THE LENS PRESENTED TOWARD BUT SPACED FROM SAID SURFACE, THE PROJECTIONS BEING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT THE LENS AND BEING RELATIVELY NARROW AS COMPARED TO THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE LENS. 